Merged:Merged: Re: Any thoughts on the leather braided/twisted rope belt?

The Parts of Star Wars (a great site which I was dismayed to find is gone, having not been there in a while) had the braided belt listed as being part of a horse bridle. They had some photos of a similar braided bridle, and it was dead-on accurate.

Those look a little on the thick side. I don't think that each braid could be much thicker than 1/4". There are 20 braids and the girth is about 5 1/2" to 6" wide.

Jun 1, 2002

Migrate from As You Wish

Merged: Re: Braided belt

Look also, in Horse tack for "braided leather lunge line". These are a constant thickness throughout their entire length, and come up to 30' long! On the down side though, it'll still probably take 2-3 to get a 14 strand girth, depending on your waist measurement.

Good luck!

-Sarge

Jul 27, 2002

bigkidbiggertoys

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

The braid is a 4 strand 1/4" round braid. It is not hard to do, just time consuming. I will be purchasing the leather in a couple of weeks & I'll keep you posted on the progress. I'll also take pics for a tutorial that I'll host on my website.

Jul 28, 2002

RazielTheDead

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

The belt could be made with whip rope. The kind used to make bullwhips and such. Doing a search proved that this route would not be the most cost effective but probably one of the quickest routes.

Aug 12, 2002

Bardo Fett

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

Okay Fetters,

After much searching and scouring of the Imperial databanks, I have FOUND IT!!! THE SECRET OF THE BRAIDED BELT!

Now, it'll take a while, but just sit down in front of the TV for a couple of hours and get it done.

This is the site that shows how to make a 4-strand round braid, EXACTLY like Jangos belt.

Now, according to sources, Jango had about 20 of these single braided ropes fit together to make one large belt.

So, here's the scoop -

Just go to any hobby or craft or fabric store and get leather laces or leather string, 1/8" in size.

Since your braiding will actually shorten the leather quite a bit, the length of each strand of leather lace will need to be approximately 3x your waist size.

And since you actually double-over the lace to make 4 strands from 2, your strands need to be 2x the 3x of your waist size.

***********EDIT***********
After starting my braids last night while watching Shark Week, discovered a couple of things. First, 1/8" leather will work fine! I got a few spools of it at a Michaels Craft Store in Texas. $10 for 75 feet. Which is good for several braids.

Now, my above calulations for the lengths of leather needed were a little exaggerated. 4 strands of 108" leather were enough to go amost 1 1/2 times around my waist. So, beware of that.

Plus, the leather will stretch a bit after it is braided.

That being said, make your own appropriate calculations and good luck!!

Aug 13, 2002

Star Wars Chick

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

Can laces that length and width be found? I'm up for braiding, used to make bracelets all the time with string in a somewhat similar fashion.

Aug 13, 2002

Bardo Fett

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

Mirax,

Yes, you should be able to find spools of leather lace or leather string (use the 1/8", it's pretty common) in the Leather Craft section of many hobby/craft stores.

And yes, the process is very similar to making bracelets, but even more so to making bullwhips, which is how I found the tutorial in the first place.

Good luck!!

Aug 15, 2002

Darth Mule

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

Here's something I Found while surfing the same site BArdo found the braid instructions. http://www.rudedogleather.com/classes/lace/lace.html
Since I haven't found any leather lace that was thin enough to get that look of the belt on the C2 mannequin (see top of page) I figure why not make it. Get this tool, hit the thrift stores and find a brown leather jacket for reasonably cheap, seam rip it, and use the pieces to make lace that is the perfect thickness for a braid. Not to mention, you'll get more lace from the jacket than any spool you'd buy.. And probably cheaper.

Aug 21, 2002

darthdav

My braided leather belt

Lookie what I made! I think I still ned to trim one layer of braid off, but I'ts pretty close. If there is any interest, I may make a few more for sale or trade. Let me know what you all think.http://starwarsparty.com/braided_belt/index.htm

Aug 21, 2002

Soju

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

I have a stupid question. How are you guys attaching the belt(s) in the back?

Aug 24, 2002

Darth Mule

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

I've heard Velcro, and I've heard buckles. I know the ammo belt is attached with velcro cuz you can see it in the pic of the C2 manequin up on the top of this thread. As for the braided belt... Maybe whojedi can enlighten us as he got to play with the C2 Manequin.

Aug 24, 2002

Soju

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

So, am I right in assuming that the braided leather is glued to a backing?

Aug 24, 2002

darthdav

connecting the braids

Well my first braided belt i made
seen here http://starwarsparty.com/braided_belt/index.htm
has material stitched on the back of each individual braid but i donít like the look of it- even though it is on the back! so my new one (with more accurate braids that look AWESOME) I am using very thin leather chord/thread to weave each braid to the other. this is much cleaner and more flexible as well as being a bit lighter. then the connection in the back will have two nylon or leather straps (havenít decided yet, with quick release plastic buckles. then the whole thing will be covered with a strip of leather, like seen in the pictures in this thread. this belt is going to be AWESOME! a bit more expensive than I originally thought due to the time and materials, but it will be VERY screen accurate

Good work Dave... Looks like the one I'm working on. What kind of lace are you using? I'm making my own with a large piece of upholstery hide and one of those lace maker tools I posted about earlier. I went this route because all the pre-made lace I found in the store was to thick and made the braid look bumpy.

Aug 27, 2002

darthdav

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

Thanks! The leather I am using is custom cut from a local leather shop. That's the only way to do it, I've found!

Sep 5, 2002

sith camaro

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

I finished mine about 2 weeks ago. Here's a quick scan of it.
What I did was, after the leather was braided, I took a 6 1/2" strip of a thin leather, and made a belt out of it. Then I glued all of them down tightly to the belt (the back side of the belt), with leather cement. Works like a charm!!!http://home.attbi.com/~t.markham/wsb...6/site1002.jpg
If I REALLY feel motivated......I MAY make more.

Sep 5, 2002

Pantera

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

I was in Wal-Mart and in the craft section they had braided leather in 36" sections it is like $6.99 apiece.It is kinda thick so you could probably get away with fewer strands.It wouldn't be totally accurate but it would be leather.It is the right color too! I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet.

Sep 6, 2002

Star Wars Chick

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

Sith Camaro, that is a great idea! Where did you get your leather for your braids?

Sep 6, 2002

Dark Trooper

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

You can buy leather lace by the spool at either Tandy Leather or The Leather Factory (which are actually the same company now even though there are two different sites). I got some and am working on my belt now.

Sep 7, 2002

sith camaro

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

LOL!
I picked up some leather from the leather factory. Then I sat there for about 2 days cutting the lace. That lace cutting tool isn't all it's cracked up to be. I eventually gave up on it at one point, and started to cut it by hand with a pair of scissors.
Arturo, we need to go back out there to pick up more leather for you.

Sep 19, 2002

SEEKER

Re: Official Thread - Braided Belt

Yep the braid are behind the ammo belt. And the braids are glue on a piece of leather via heavy undustrial leather glue. :)